At the last daily apparition to Jakov Colo on September 12th, 1998, Our Lady told him that henceforth he would have one apparition a year, every December 25th, on Christmas Day. This is also how it was this year. The apparition began at 2:25 pm and lasted 7 minutes. Jakov said: “Our Lady spoke to me about the secrets and at the end said: ‘Pray, pray, pray.’I will post my audio reflection later today

“Dear children! Today, I and my Son desire to give you an abundance of joy and peace so that each of you may be a joyful carrier and witness of peace and joy in the places where you live. Little children, be a blessing and be peace. Thank you for having responded to my call.”

Dear brothers and sisters listening to me here in Rome and throughout the world, I joyfully proclaim the message of Christmas: God became man; he came to dwell among us. God is not distant: he is “Emmanuel”, God-with-us. He is no stranger: he has a face, the face of Jesus. This message is ever new, ever surprising, for it surpasses even our most daring hope. First of all, because it is not merely a proclamation: it is an event, a happening, which credible witnesses saw, heard and touched in the person of Jesus of Nazareth! Being in his presence, observing his works and hearing his words, they recognised in Jesus the Messiah; and seeing him risen, after his crucifixion, they were certain that he was true man and true God, the only-begotten Son come from the Father, full of grace and truth (cf. Jn 1:14). “The Word became flesh”. Before this revelation we once more wonder: how can this be? The Word and the flesh are mutually opposed realities; how can the eternal and almighty Word become a frail and mortal man? There is only one answer: Love. Those who love desire to share with the beloved, they want to be one with the beloved, and Sacred Scripture shows us the great love story of God for his people which culminated in Jesus Christ. God in fact does not change: he is faithful to himself. He who created the world is the same one who called Abraham and revealed his name to Moses: “I am who I am … the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob … a God merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (cf. Ex 3:14-15; 34:6). God does not change; he is Love, ever and always. In himself he is communion, unity in Trinity, and all his words and works are directed to communion. The Incarnation is the culmination of creation. When Jesus, the Son of God incarnate, was formed in the womb of Mary by the will of the Father and the working of the Holy Spirit, creation reached its high point. The ordering principle of the universe, the Logos, began to exist in the world, in a certain time and space. “The Word became flesh”. The light of this truth is revealed to those who receive it in faith, for it is a mystery of love. Only those who are open to love are enveloped in the light of Christmas. So it was on that night in Bethlehem, and so it is today. The Incarnation of the Son of God is an event which occurred within history, while at the same time transcending history. In the night of the world a new light was kindled, one which lets itself be seen by the simple eyes of faith, by the meek and humble hearts of those who await the Saviour. If the truth were a mere mathematical formula, in some sense it would impose itself by its own power. But if Truth is Love, it calls for faith, for the “yes” of our hearts. And what do our hearts, in effect, seek, if not a Truth which is also Love? Children seek it with their questions, so disarming and stimulating; young people seek it in their eagerness to discover the deepest meaning of their life; adults seek it in order to guide and sustain their commitments in the family and the workplace; the elderly seek it in order to grant completion to their earthly existence. “The Word became flesh”. The proclamation of Christmas is also a light for all peoples, for the collective journey of humanity. “Emmanuel”, God-with-us, has come as King of justice and peace. We know that his Kingdom is not of this world, and yet it is more important than all the kingdoms of this world. It is like the leaven of humanity: were it lacking, the energy to work for true development would flag: the impulse to work together for the common good, in the disinterested service of our neighbour, in the peaceful struggle for justice. Belief in the God who desired to share in our history constantly encourages us in our own commitment to that history, for all its contradictions. It is a source of hope for everyone whose dignity is offended and violated, since the one born in Bethlehem came to set every man and woman free from the source of all enslavement. May the light of Christmas shine forth anew in the Land where Jesus was born, and inspire Israelis and Palestinians to strive for a just and peaceful coexistence. May the comforting message of the coming of Emmanuel ease the pain and bring consolation amid their trials to the beloved Christian communities in Iraq and throughout the Middle East; may it bring them comfort and hope for the future and bring the leaders of nations to show them effective solidarity. May it also be so for those in Haiti who still suffer in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and the recent cholera epidemic. May the same hold true not only for those in Colombia and Venezuela, but also in Guatemala and Costa Rica, who recently suffered natural disasters. May the birth of the Saviour open horizons of lasting peace and authentic progress for the peoples of Somalia, Darfur and Côte d’Ivoire; may it promote political and social stability in Madagascar; may it bring security and respect for human rights in Afghanistan and in Pakistan; may it encourage dialogue between Nicaragua and Costa Rica; and may it advance reconciliation on the Korean peninsula. May the birth of the Saviour strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and courage of the faithful of the Church in mainland China, that they may not lose heart through the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and conscience but, persevering in fidelity to Christ and his Church, may keep alive the flame of hope. May the love of “God-with-us” grant perseverance to all those Christian communities enduring discrimination and persecution, and inspire political and religious leaders to be committed to full respect for the religious freedom of all. Dear brothers and sisters, “the Word became flesh”; he came to dwell among us; he is Emmanuel, the God who became close to us. Together let us contemplate this great mystery of love; let our hearts be filled with the light which shines in the stable of Bethlehem! To everyone, a Merry Christmas!

Author

Fr. Neil Buchlein, Pastor St. Mary Queen of Heaven Madison, WV

St. Joseph the WorkerWhitesville, WV

The world is like a river of which we drinkbut our sins pollute the waterAnd now the river is flooded so we must buildand ark of faith and trust in divine providenceI was in a room of darkness it wasn'tenough to open the window for airI had to unlock the door so I searched forthe key and what I found wasOur Lady of Medugorje saying to:

Me and my brothers and sisters we were strugglingbetween heaven and hellWe found it hard to understand how we gotsunk into a spiral of negative and demonic spellsSo we went on a pilgrimage searching for healingat the heavenly wellsWe came across a wise man telling us children it's verysimple, conversion, mass the sacraments and

Chorus

Oh we've got to pray, pray pray pray,pray pray pray for a happier day

Need a childlike faith to enter into heaven'til the harvesters come don't be afraid

We all have our crosses to carry if we carrythem humbly there's no need to worryIf we forgive we'll be forgiven then ourpurified hearts will feel thepresence of God's eternal love burn insideI ain't no religious expert but I don't have tobe to know that God ain't illusionI'm testifying what I witness 'cause a faithwithout acts is a dead faith that's whyI wrote this song so we can

Chorus

Oh we've got to pray, pray pray pray,pray pray pray for a happier day

Pray pray pray for a happier dayGot to pray for a better dayPray pray pray for a happier dayGot to pray for a better dayPray pray pray for a happier dayGot to pray for a better dayPray pray pray for a happier dayGot to pray for a better dayPray pray pray for a happier day

Let us not close our hearts, let us not lose confidence,let us never give up: there are no situations which God cannot change.Pope Francis

"God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have a mission; I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons; He has not created me for naught. I shall do good—I shall do his work. I shall be an angel of peace while not intending it if I do but keep his commandments. Therefore, I will trust him." Blessed John Cardinal Newmann

ObamaCare violates our religious liberty; Planned Parenthood takes our taxpayer dollars for its abortion business; and atheists are removing Christianity from America. Get your armour on for this satanic battle is here in our backyard.

Come, Holy Spirit, and renew the face of the earth through me. Fill me with Your life and Your grace, that my soul may be sanctified. Increase in me the gift of holy wisdom, that I may use wisely the gifts You have given me. Increase in me the gift of understanding, that I may hear and respond to Your call. Increase in me the gift of Your good counsel, that I may always follow God's will. Increase in me the gift of knowledge, that I may grow in holiness by knowing God and myself more fully. Increase in me the gift of love, that I may serve as Christ's hands and feet and voice sharing Your love with everyone I meet today. Come, Holy Spirit! Renew the face of the earth through me! Amen.

Consecrate Yourself to MaryUsing the Consecration Prayerof St. Louis-Marie de Montfort

I, (Name), a faithless sinner, renew and ratify today in your hands the vows of my Baptism; I renounce forever Satan, his pomps and works; and I give myself entirely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him all the days of my life, and to be more faithful to Him than I have ever been before.

In the presence of all the heavenly court I choose you this day for my Mother and Queen. I deliver and consecrate to you, as your slave, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present and future; leaving to you the entire and full right of disposing of me, and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to your good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and in eternity.

Our Lady of All NationsLord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father,Send now Your Spirit over the world;Let the Holy Spirit live in the Hearts of All Nations,That they may be preserved from degeneration, disaster, and war;May the Lady of All Nations, the Blessed Virgin Mary,Be our Advocate. AmenSeptember 20, 1951Bury me on my head for one day this world will be upside down." (Diogenes)

PRAYER FOR PRIESTSO Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep your priests within the shelter of your sacred heart, where none may touch them.Keep unstained their anointed hands, which daily touch your sacred body.Keep unsullied their lips, daily purpled with your precious blood.Keep pure and unearthly their hearts, sealed with the sublime mark of your priesthood.Let your holy love surround them, and shield them from the world’s contagion.Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they minister be their joy and consolation here on earth, and in heaven, their everlasting crown.Mary, Mother of Priests, pray for priests and vocations to the priesthood.– St. Therese of LisieuxQuote to live by:"Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you, all things are passing, God is unchanging. Patience gains all; nothing is lacking to those who have God: God alone is sufficient."- St. Teresa of Avila "Anyone who wishes to frolic with the devil, cannot rejoice with Christ." -St. Peter ChrysologusPrayer for Priests

O my Jesus, I beg You on behalf of the whole Church:grant it love and the light of Your Spirit,and give power to the words of priestsso that hardened hearts might be brought to repentanceand return to You, O Lord.

Lord, give us holy priests;You Yourself maintain them in holiness.O divine an Great High Priest,may the power of Your mercy accompany them everywhereand protect them from the devil's traps and snareswhich are continually being set for the souls for priests.May the power of Your mercy, O Lord, shatter and bring to naughtall that might tarnish the sanctity of priests,for You can do all things.AMEN.